Arizona budget cuts have drastically diminished school music programs, and Tau Beta Sigma is tired of hearing about it.

The national honorary band sorority is doing its part to make a change, but it isn’t taking a conventional approach. Instead, the group is using its love of music to reach the campus masses on the UA Mall.

Tau Beta Sigma is hosting its second annual VH1 Save the Music Concert today from 5 to 7 p.m. All proceeds go directly to VH1’s Save the Music Foundation.

“”Everyone loves music and everyone listens to music,”” said Rachel Bennett, the vice president of activities of Tau Beta Sigma and a co-chair of the event. “”So we’re just trying to help out the local community and keep music programs around.””

This year’s concert will be a little different from last year’s. According to Bennett, they’re “”going for more of a laid-back feel”” this time around. Instead of having eight bands play for four hours, tonight’s concert will feature two bands and will last two hours.

The bands scheduled to perform are The Hounds and Affinity.

Affinity — a band influenced by the Goo Goo Dolls, The Fray and Switchfoot — played in the first benefit concert last year and are looking forward to tonight’s performance.

“”It’s a win-win situation,”” said Stephen Marcoux, the lead singer of Affinity and a senior majoring in biology and physiology. “”We get to share our music with others and help raise money for music programs.””

This year, Save the Music will be an open concert; attendees can come and go as they please. Tau Beta Sigma is trying to get more people to attend this year in order to reach its goal of raising between $700 and $800. Last year the sorority raised just over $500.

The event, synched with the final week of classes, provides a welcome break from writing papers and studying.

“”Come walk on the Mall, enjoy a couple of songs,”” Bennett said. “”It’s a good option for people to do on a Friday night the week before finals start. It may be your last hangout before finals.””